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The List
- Skipping or Inadequate Hazard Assessments
The Mistake: Many businesses fail to conduct thorough hazard assessments or keep them updated. This often leads to overlooked risks, which can result in accidents, injuries, and non-compliance.
The Fix: Schedule regular hazard assessments and keep them up to date, especially if your work environment changes.
How We Can Help: Our team specializes in hazard assessments tailored to Calgary’s industries, from construction to hospitality. We’ll identify risks and help you implement practical solutions.
📖 Reference: Alberta OHS Code, Part 2, outlines your legal obligation to identify hazards in your workplace.
- Improper or Missing Safety Training
The Mistake: Tossing new employees onto the job without proper safety training—or thinking a quick safety talk will suffice. Training isn’t a one-and-done deal!
The Fix: Implement a comprehensive safety training program and refresh it regularly.
How We Can Help: Calgary Safety Consultants offers customizable safety training programs, including onboarding for new hires and ongoing training for seasoned employees. Plus, we handle the boring paperwork, so you don’t have to.
📖 Reference: Alberta OHS Code, Part 1, Section 3 requires employers to ensure workers are adequately trained.
- Neglecting Proper Record-Keeping
The Mistake: Missing documents, incomplete records, or not keeping required paperwork like safety inspections, training logs, or incident reports. This is a major red flag for inspectors.
The Fix: Keep organized records for everything OH&S-related. Pro tip: digitize them to make it easier to update and access.
How We Can Help: Our team can set you up with easy-to-use record-keeping systems so you’re always audit-ready.
📖 Reference: Alberta OHS Act, Section 22 highlights the importance of maintaining proper documentation.
- Failing to Maintain PPE Standards
The Mistake: Providing subpar personal protective equipment (PPE) or failing to ensure employees actually use it.
The Fix: Invest in high-quality PPE and enforce its use. Regular inspections and replacements are key.
How We Can Help: We’ll help you select the right PPE for your industry, train your team on how to use it, and even set up a maintenance schedule.
📖 Reference: Alberta OHS Code, Part 18, specifies PPE requirements.
- Overlooking Emergency Preparedness
The Mistake: Thinking, “It won’t happen to us.” A lack of emergency response planning can be disastrous, both for your employees and your business.
The Fix: Develop and test emergency response plans, covering everything from fires to chemical spills.
How We Can Help: We’ll craft an emergency response plan specific to your business and conduct training drills to ensure your team is ready for anything.
📖 Reference: Alberta OHS Code, Part 7, requires emergency response planning.
- Not Reporting Incidents or Delays in Reporting
The Mistake: Failing to report workplace incidents promptly. Some businesses think minor injuries don’t need reporting, but that’s a big no-no.
The Fix: Know what needs reporting and ensure incidents are reported immediately.
How We Can Help: We’ll guide you through incident reporting requirements and even manage the process for you, so you’re always compliant.
📖 Reference: Alberta OHS Act, Section 40 requires certain injuries and incidents to be reported.
Why Choose Calgary Safety Consultants?
At Calgary Safety Consultants, we’re more than compliance experts—we’re your partners in workplace safety. Here’s why Calgary businesses love working with us:
- Local Expertise: We know the ins and outs of Alberta OH&S regulations and the unique challenges Calgary businesses face.
- Tailored Solutions: One-size-fits-all doesn’t work. We customize every solution to your business’s needs.
- Hassle-Free Help: From hazard assessments to training and audits, we take the stress out of OH&S compliance.
Ready to make compliance easy?
By addressing these common mistakes, you can protect your employees, avoid penalties, and build a stronger safety culture in your workplace. If you’re ready to level up your safety game, let Calgary Safety Consultants guide you every step of the way.
Book your complimentary consultation today.
How we help
If you'd like a second set of eyes on your compliance, Calgary Safety Consultants can help employers in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan find gaps, update safety manuals and keep their programs current.
About the author
John Duplessis, B.Sc., CRSP
John Duplessis is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional with more than 30 years of occupational health and safety experience in oil and gas, construction, green energy, midstream operations, and industrial project work.
